The MS Research course, or MS by Research, is a postgraduate degree program for students who want to pursue research in science, engineering, or technology domains. This program consists of thesis work and scholarly publications over classroom instruction. The course duration spans 2 to 3 years, 2 years for the full-time students, and 3 for the part-time students.
The eligibility criteria for MS Research varies by institution, but generally it requires a B.E./B.Tech. or equivalent degree. Admission to Master of Science by Research is based upon the entrance exam, students need to have a valid GATE score for enrolling in this course.
The average MS Research course fee in top-tier institutes ranges between INR 30,000 – INR 2,00,000 per year. IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIIT-Hyderabad, and IISc Bangalore are among the top colleges offering this course.
After completion, students can take up roles as R&D engineers, research scientists, data analysts, or Ph.D. scholars. They can get average salaries ranging between INR 6 LPA– 20 LPA.
- MS in Research Course Highlights
- Why Pursue MS in Research Course?
- MS in Research Course Eligibility Criteria
- MS in Research Course Entrance Exams
- MS in Research Colleges in India
- MS in Research Admission Process 2025
- MS in Research Syllabus (Sample: IIIT-Hyderabad)
- MS in Research Jobs & Opportunities in India
- MS in Research Course Specializations
- MS in Research FAQs
MS in Research Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the basic highlights for the course MS in Research:
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | MS in Research |
Course Level | Postgraduate |
Duration | 2–3 Years |
Course Type | Full-Time (Research-Oriented) |
Admission Process | GATE / Institute-Specific Exam + Interview |
Eligibility Criteria | B.E./B.Tech. or M.Sc. (with 55%+) |
Course Fees (Average) | INR 30,000 – 2,00,000 per year |
Research Focus | Thesis, Publications, Seminars |
Top Colleges | IIIT-Hyderabad, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bangalore |
Specializations | Computer Science, Data Science, AI, Electrical, Mechanical |
Job Profiles | Research Engineer, Data Scientist, Research Analyst, Ph.D. Scholar |
Average Salary in India | INR 6,00,000 – 20,00,000 per annum |
Why Pursue MS in Research Course?
The MS in Research program can open multiple doors for students passionate about innovation and exploration.
- This course dedicates a major portion of time to independent research, reducing classroom burden.
- MS by Research is an ideal foundation for students planning to pursue doctoral programs in India or abroad.
- Graduates have strong potential for careers in international research labs or Ph.D. admissions to Ivy League universities.
- Most institutions allow students to pick their own research topics and electives.
- Students are expected to publish papers in international journals and conferences.
- Direct research supervision by professors allows for guidance and helping students build focused expertise.
MS in Research Course Eligibility Criteria
Here's an overall idea of who is qualified for this program in leading Indian institutions:
- Educational Qualification: B.E. / B.Tech. / B.S. (4-year) in a related discipline from a reputed institution. Certain institutes also allow M.Sc. (for science streams) or equivalent qualifications.
- Minimum Marks: Minimum 55%–60 % aggregate or CGPA equivalent (relaxations for reserved categories).
- Entrance Test: GATE is commonly accepted for admission in most IITs. Some, like IIIT-Hyderabad, have their entrance test (PGEE).
- Interview Round: Shortlisted individuals are most often invited for a personal or departmental interview, with an emphasis on research interest and previous projects.
MS in Research Course Entrance Exams
Listed below are some of the Entrance exams
Exam Name | Institutes Accepting |
GATE | IITs, IISc, NITs |
IIIT-H PGEE | IIIT-Hyderabad |
JEST | IISERs, Research Institutes |
Note: Candidates must prepare a Statement of Purpose (SOP) and may be asked to present prior research/project work during interviews.
MS in Research Colleges in India
Here are some of the top Indian institutes that offer MS by Research programs with verified 2025 data:
College Name | Course Fee (Approx) | Key Specializations |
IIIT-Hyderabad | INR 1,20,000/year | CS, AI, Robotics, Computational Linguistics |
IIT Madras | INR 25,000/semester | EE, CS, Mech, Civil, Data Science |
IIT Kanpur | INR 30,000/semester | CS, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace |
IISc Bangalore | INR 29,200/semester | Biological Sciences, Physics, EE, CS |
IIT-Hyderabad | INR 50,000/year | AI, Materials, Civil, EE |
IIIT-Bangalore (Research Track) | INR 1,60,000/year | Data Science, Cybersecurity, IT Systems |
MS in Research Admission Process 2025
Though the process varies by institution, the general steps include:
Step 1: Online Application via official institute portals.Step 2: Upload of Academic Records, SOP, and LORs.Step 3: Entrance Exam (GATE or institute-specific).Step 4: Interview/Presentation – candidates may need to pitch research ideas.Steps 5: Final Selection based on merit, research interest, and faculty availability.
MS in Research Syllabus (Sample: IIIT-Hyderabad)
The MS by Research curriculum focuses on core electives + guided research work, and evolves based on the chosen specialization.
Semester I | Semester II |
Research Methodology | Elective II |
Elective I | Research Seminar |
Proposal Preparation | Thesis Phase 1 |
Semester III | Semester IV |
Thesis Phase 2 | Thesis Defense & Viva |
Paper Publication | Peer Review & Revisions |
Most institutions require students to publish at least one peer-reviewed paper before submission of thesis.
MS in Research Jobs & Opportunities in India
Graduates of MS by Research are highly valued in academia, R&D labs, global tech firms, and research startups.
Job Role | Recruiting Areas | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
Research Engineer | Samsung R&D, Intel, Qualcomm | INR 10–18 LPA |
Data Scientist | Flipkart, Amazon, TCS Innovation Labs | INR 12–20 LPA |
AI/ML Researcher | Google AI, DeepMind, OpenAI (Postdoc Path) | INR 15–30 LPA |
Doctoral Fellow | MIT, Stanford, ETH Zurich | INR 30,000–INR 50,000/month (scholarship) |
Assistant Professor | IITs, IIITs, NITs | INR 10–14 LPA |
Biomedical Research Analyst | MedTech Startups, Pharma Research Labs | INR 8–12 LPA |
MS in Research Course Specializations
Here are some of the specializations for the MS Research course:
Specialization | Institute Name | Program Type | Avg. Annual Fees (INR) |
Computer Science & Engineering | IIIT-Hyderabad | MS by Research | INR 1,20,000 |
Artificial Intelligence & ML | IIT Hyderabad | MS by Research | INR 50,000 |
Data Science & Systems | IIT Madras | MS by Research | INR 25,000/semester |
Computational Linguistics | IIIT-Hyderabad | MS by Research | INR 1,20,000 |
Cybersecurity | IIIT-Bangalore | Research Track (MS) | INR 1,60,000 |
Electrical Engineering | IIT Kanpur | MS by Research | INR 30,000/semester |
VLSI & Embedded Systems | IIT Hyderabad | MS by Research | INR 50,000 |
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering | IIT Kanpur | MS by Research | INR 30,000/semester |
Robotics | IIIT-Hyderabad | MS by Research | INR 1,20,000 |
Bioengineering & Biosciences | IIT Madras | MS by Research | INR 25,000/semester |
Computational Neuroscience | IIIT-Hyderabad | MS by Research | INR 1,20,000 |
Smart Infrastructure & Civil Engg. | IIT Madras | MS by Research | INR 25,000/semester |
Mathematics & Computing | IIT Delhi | MS(R) – Research | INR 15,000/semester |
MS in Research FAQs
What is the difference between an MS Research and a traditional taught MS program?
An MS Research degree is an emphasis on independent research and a thesis/dissertation as the main part, with little coursework. Taught MS programs, on the other hand, emphasize regular lectures, exams, and assignments. MS Research programs (e.g., MRes) for leading to PhDs or research careers stress skills such as experimental design, data analysis, and scholarly writing.
What specialisations are offered in an MS Research program?
Specializations differ by discipline but typically include: Computer Science: AI, Machine Learning, NLP, Robotics, Biomedical Sciences: Cancer biology, Epidemiology, Neuroscience, Engineering: Embedded systems, Wireless communications, Environmental Science: Sustainable materials, Climate change, Interdisciplinary projects are often enabled within programs to fit your interests in research.
Why would I want to get an MS Research degree?
This program is best suited for students who are looking to become PhD or research academia, wish to cultivate advanced-level research skills (e.g., experimental design, data analysis), desire independence to investigate specialised topics by novel research. It's also suitable for professionals looking for R&D positions in healthcare, technology, or environmental sustainability
What is the standard format of an MS Research program?
The first year would be restricted to coursework and initial thesis planning. Then, second year would have full-time thesis work, involving lab/field research, data collection, and writing of the dissertation. Then, you will receive feedback through presentations, vivas, and thesis defences.
